Originally Posted by HN39
Yes, he did pull back, intentionally or not, we don't know:
2 h 10 min 07: The copilot sidestick is positioned: - nose-up between neutral and ¾ of the stop position; VS and VSsel are both zero.
2 h 10 min 08: The FD 1 and 2 become unavailable.
2 h 10 min 17:The FD 1 and 2 become available again; the active modes are HDG/ALT CRZ*. VS is then 4000 fpm.
Time 2 10 07
- VS is not zero but minus 500 fpm
- The altitude shows 200 feet below the assigned flight level
- The attitude is below the horizon
Every reason for the PF to initially pull.
Time 2 10 08
Bizarely AP has already disconnected but FD are still displaying, probably for a nose up command.
Time 2 10 17
After dissapearing, they are back, but for a few seconds only, in ALT CRZ*
The altitude is very close to 35000 feet so the FD must indicate a sharp nose down command if the VS is still at a positive 4000 fpm.
Time 2 10 26
Again FD are back, is it for a 10 seconds period, but it must be in VS mode this time.
Alain Bouillard – .......
To try to understand the pilots' actions I have decided to set up a human factors group that will study the behaviour and the actions of the pilot, containing specialists in ergonomics, cognitive sciences -- psychologists, and doctors specialised in aviation.
We are continuing to examine the pilots' seats to try to understand if the adjustment could have influenced their inputs on the sidesticks........
Before studying anything in that direction, we need to see the
Vertical mode trace and analyze how and if the FD may have influenced the PF inputs.